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Comments [23]

Kent
from Bergen County, NJ

We recently replaced our electric dryer, which was regularly tripping the circuit breaker. Upon first using the new Kenmore electric dryer, the circuit breaker was tripped after ten minutes into cycle. We re-set the breaker and the same thing happened again. The circuit switch says "30" and we were told that this is sufficient. That person suggested cleaning the socket, which we did, but to no avail. Any advice? Thank you. Kent Stoltzman

Did the woman with the higher electric bill check to see if the supply cost changed from month to month? I switched my supplier after noticing a jump from 10 cents per kWh to 17 cents. I did my research on Con Ed's Power Your Way list of suppliers and looked at individual company's rates if I could find it online.

I laid a new red oak floor. My wife over-applied the stain. It's already set, but we have not yet put any polyurethane on it. Is there a chemical I can use to remove the excess, or is sanding my only option?

I recently installed a tankless electric waterheater, and I really like it, but it keeps tripping the circuit breaker in the fuse box. What's the best way to increase the capacity of the circuit, and can I do it myself?

Our Brooklyn brownstone co-op has discovered mold behind the Sheetrock in several apartments. The Sheetrock is being removed & we're considering going back to plaster. Does anyone still do plaster walls?

I have a small house with an enclosed porch, and I was considering turning the porch into a 4-season porch. I've heard about foam insulation that can be injected into the walls and ceiling: when is this type of insulation appropriate, and are there any complications with using this type of insulation when electrical wiring is present in the walls and ceiling of the porch?

What type of grass grows best in NYC and when should I plant it. Our yard gets absolutely no sunlight because of buildings all around but I feel like I am wasting perfectly good outdoor space...any ideas to make it useable and get grass growing?

My apartment has a steel front door with a deadbolt. The door and the frame aren't aligned properly, and because of this I have to lean on it with my full weight just to lock it. It's incredibly frustrating, but the landlord is convinced that nothing can done about it. Is this true?

How to fix a dripping outdoor spigot? I used a screwdriver as a lever through the spigot knob to turn it as far as I could, but it's still dripping. When I tried to remove the handle, the rusty screw holding it in place began to strip. Help, gurus!

How to fix a dripping outdoor spigot? I used a screwdriver as a lever through the spigot knob to turn it as far as I could, but it's still dripping. When I tried to remove the handle, the rusty screw holding it in place began to strip. Help, gurus!

I live in a four unit co op on Staten island. Each unit has about 12 residents and are substantially similiar. However, one building receives a water bill which 3-4 times the other buildings indicating individual usage of 2-300 gallons a day. Absent a hidden still, there is no reason for the disparity yet the city disclaims any possibility of a malfunctioning meter. We asked for an audit an inspector said looked at the unit and said it was working. What are our options?

I have a tankless hot water heater that is two years old and working perfectly. Over the weekend we installed a HE washing machine, and the pressure value for the hot water heater started leaking dramatically, now it's a slow steady leak about a drop every 30 seconds when water is running. What's going on and is there a device we can install? Rheem - the heater manufacturer says return the washer or call a plumber.

Can you talk us through how to make a weak toilet flush better? All of ours require a minimum of 2 flushes for anything to go down. Up to 4 for more "substantial" flushes. Is there a fix, or do we just need better toilets?

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